The “Creative Capital” of Providence has a thriving art scene, and there are many museums and galleries to take in. While Gallery Night will not be happening during the week of our conference (it’s the third Thursday of each month), you can see a list of participating galleries on their Web site. Also consult Visit Rhode Island’s Art Galleries section for another list of galleries in the area. Some highlights:
Museum of Art Rhode Island School of Design
224 Benefit Street, 401-454-6500.
Just a few blocks from the conference hotel, the RISD Museum is Rhode Island’s leading museum of fine and decorative art, with a collection of over 80,000 objects of international significance. “From the outset, works of art served as models for instruction, first in classrooms and, as the collection grew, in a separate museum structure. Today, as throughout its history, the RISD Museum is an integral part of Rhode Island School of Design and the principal art museum for the city, state and southeastern New England.”
As a VRA attendee you will have free access to the RISD Museum with your conference badge.
This year’s Tansey event will be held at risd|works, a shop located in the RISD Museum lobby. With a 20% discount on the unique items created by RISD alumni and faculty, light refreshments, door prizes, and the company of VRA colleagues, this is sure to be a wonderful experience, but please note that the museum itself will not be open during the event (see their hours here). Your conference badge will also get you a 10% discount on any purchases you make at risd|works outside of the Tansey event.
AS220
111-113 Empire Street, 401-831-9327
Six blocks or so from the Biltmore to the southwest. There is always something interesting happening at the avant-garde AS220, whether exhibitions in the galleries, live performances, or good food. “AS220 is a non-profit community arts space in downtown Providence. Its mission is to provide an unjuried and uncensored forum for the arts. If you live in the state of Rhode Island, you will get an opportunity to exhibit or perform at AS220. AS220 is part Incubator and part Bazaar. Its 3 buildings house galleries, a performance space, a print shop, residential lofts, restaurants, and more.”
Providence Art Club
11 Thomas St., 401-331-1114
“Along Thomas Street, in the shadow of the First Baptist Church, stands a picturesque procession of historic houses, home to the studios, galleries and clubhouse of the Providence Art Club. Said to be the oldest art club in the nation after the Salmagundi Club in New York, our distinguished Providence institution has been here so long that no one can remember a time when Thomas Street was not synonymous with the Providence Art Club.”
Exhibitions in the galleries are free and open to the public. The art shown in this beautiful and traditional leans toward the conservative end of the spectrum. If you can sweet talk your way into the historic clubhouse it’s said to be well worth a look.
